Most Russians approve new Patriarch – poll
Eighty-eight percent of the respondents, who know about the election of the new Patriarch, welcome the choice of the Russian Orthodox Church’s Local Council. Two percent have the opposite opinion, and eleven percent are unable to answer the question.
The poll was held in 140 towns and cities in 42 Russian regions on January 31 – February 1. The smaller the town is the more supporters of the new Patriarch it has. The general correlation is 88-90% in small towns to 82-84% in big cities. The majority of the new Patriarch’s supporters are people older than 60 years (92%).
Forty-six percent of Russians who know the name of new Patriarch respect Kirill. Twenty-nine percent said they were hopeful, and 24% said they liked and trusted the Patriarch. Seven percent admired him, and one percent loved him. Only five percent said they were indifferent. None of the respondents said they were disappointed, mistrusted or disliked the new Patriarch.